Ecological Modeling

EXTENSION: Horizontal Modeling

Materials: Write your class' focus issue and top 3-5 causes in large letters on separate sheets of paper. Tape these pieces of paper to the board with the causes radiating around the focus issue at the center (See this example). Cut out large arrows that students can write on. These arrows will later connect the focus issue and the causes.

• The ecological model helps us think broadly about the multiple levels of influence on the issue that we are trying to change. But, because this model is so broad, it doesn’t tell us exactly what to measure. Our next step is to transfer the top causes that we just identified into what’s called a horizontal model. This will help us identify specific variables that we can measure with our research and the relationship between these variables.
• Explain that a hypothesis is a best guess, based on all the information you have, as to why one thing might cause another (or why an independent variable might cause a dependent variable). We conduct research to find out if our hypothesis is true. Talk through a possible hypothesis for one of the independent variables.
• Pass out pre-cut arrows. As individuals or pairs, have students brainstorm how one or multiple factors lead to the focus health problem. They should write their hypothesis on their arrow and tape it to the board when they are finished.
• Share back the different hypotheses and come to consensus on which hypotheses seems most likely, or if you aren’t sure, which hypotheses you want to investigate further. You can remove or consolidate arrows on the board as you discuss.
• Summarize: This is the process that all researchers go through. For our issue, we first had to decide what the most important causes are. Then, we make a hypothesis, and do research to check that out. Once we know if the relationship is true, then we can work to solve the problem.